WVU Women's Soccer Knocks Off Rutgers 3-0 In Exhibition

Sports
-
8/13/2013 6:02 PM
by West Virginia Sports Information

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (August 13, 2013) – Senior forward Frances Silva recorded three assists and led the West Virginia University women’s soccer team to a 3-0 victory over Rutgers in its first exhibition match of the 2013 season, this afternoon, at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.

The Mountaineers were efficient today, as each of their shots on goal resulted in a score. The Scarlet Knights placed two shots on goal, and junior Sara Keane earned the shutout.

“I told the team after the game that we had certain areas in training that we wanted to translate into this game, and those certain areas were what we translated,” says 18th-year coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “There were some areas we did not translate into the game today, but most of that we just haven’t addressed yet. The things that we’ve been addressing, as a coach, you want to build on that, and that’s what we built on.

“We feel pretty good about today. If we keep building on the little things, the big things will happen. I was pleased that we were able to translate what we’ve been training onto the field.”

WVU out-shot RU, 9-6, while the Scarlet Knights held a 2-0 advantage in corner kicks.

Two freshmen gave the Mountaineers the early advantage, with Silva setting up both goals.

Midfielder Bryce Banuelos notched the first goal in the 28th minute. Silva forwarded the ball just outside of the right corner of the 18, and Banuelos beat the challenge from RU keeper Jessica Janosz, sending the ball low toward the opposite post.

Tessa Broadwater, also a midfielder, pushed the lead to 2-0 seven minutes later, as she took a through ball from Silva down the right side and chipped it over Janosz’s shoulder toward the opposite post.

The Mountaineers added to their lead 14 minutes into the second half, as senior midfielder Kara Blosser headed a cross feed from Silva into the net.

The two squads played an additional 15 minutes following the conclusion of regulation. Sophomore forward Annalika Steyn tallied a shot on goal, but Alana Jimenez stopped her breakaway chance.

Of note, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/Continental Tire Preseason Rankings were released today. WVU is receiving votes but ranks just outside the top 25.

The Mountaineers travel to Georgetown on Saturday, Aug. 17, for their second preseason match. The squads will face off at 4 p.m. at Shaw Field in Washington, D.C.